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Despite the plethora of byes we experienced in Week 12, fantasy managers still got some monster performances. Tua Tagovailoa and Saquon Barkley were among the best players in Week 12. However, Josh Jacobs and Patrick Mahomes were not far behind.
We are entering a critical few weeks for fantasy managers. Depending on your league structure, the playoffs will be starting at any point over the next few weeks. We have hit the point in the season where it is imperative that you nail your lineup decisions in order to maximize your weeks.
With a fun slate of games on Turkey Day this week followed by Black Friday football, things should be fun for fantasy. Let's take a look at who your best (and worst) options will be in Week 13.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for the 2025 playoffs:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Fantasy Football Quarterback Matchups We Love
Matthew Stafford - Los Angeles Rams
Opponent: at NO
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 10th
Since the return of wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, Stafford has been one of the better quarterbacks in fantasy. He has consistently thrown for multiple touchdown passes over the last several weeks and he is entering a solid portion of his schedule.
The Saints defense has been nothing scary in 2024. The best part about this matchup is that the Saints offense seems to have found its footing since head coach Dennis Allen was fired. They should be able to score on the Rams, which should keep Stafford chucking the ball around the yard. He is a solid streamer this week and could even be a play for the fantasy football playoffs down the stretch run.
Who needed that garbage time Matthew Stafford-Cooper Kupp TD? pic.twitter.com/B0Z3YGMVhH
— PlayerProfiler NFL (@Profiler_NFL) November 25, 2024
Kyler Murray - Arizona Cardinals
Opponent: at MIN
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 11th
Murray has been inconsistent in 2024. However, the highs are extraordinarily high. The Cardinals are a surprise contender for the NFC West title this season. They have an unwavering need to continue to win and this is a huge game against the Minnesota Vikings.
The Cardinals love to run the ball and the Vikings are excellent at shutting down the run. This could be tough sledding for James Conner and Co. Luckily for the Cardinals, the Vikings have been susceptible to the pass. They are one of the best matchups for opposing quarterbacks in fantasy. Murray has week-winning potential in what should be a high-scoring affair.
Fantasy Football Quarterback Matchup to Temper Expectations
Lamar Jackson - Baltimore Ravens
Opponent: PHI
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 7th
This is by no means an endorsement to bench Jackson. However, this projects to be a game in which he may actually score less than 25 fantasy points. I know it is a shocker. Consider the fact that the Eagles defense has been good this season. Very good, in fact. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has these young players living up to their expectations, and this unit is getting close to regaining its Super Bowl form.
Jackson tends to light up bad defenses (as he should) this season to the tune of 30 or more fantasy points. However, he tends to hover around 23 fantasy points per game when he faces a tougher matchup. Well, this is certifiably a tougher matchup, so adjust the rest of your lineup with the potential for Jackson to not win you your week.
Fantasy Football Running Back Matchups We Love
Jahmyr Gibbs / David Montgomery - Detroit Lions
Opponent: CHI
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 20th
This dynamic duo has been unstoppable once again this season. They have now been in this section of this column several times this season for good reason. This week, they draw the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving. The Bears have been a run funnel all year and the Detroit running backs project to run all over them.
Thanksgiving is good for providing fantasy managers with excellent games from star players. These two should smash this week. Both Gibbs and Montgomery have a good chance to find the end zone in what should be a runaway game if the Lions defense also shows up.
Note that Montgomery is nursing a shoulder injury but is expected to be able to play.
David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs are the first pair of running back teammates in NFL history with at least 10 rushing TD apiece in consecutive seasons.
Sonic and Knuckles. Confirmed good. pic.twitter.com/7jPy66PNfP
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 25, 2024
Kenneth Walker III - Seattle Seahawks
Opponent: at NYJ
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 10th
Walker has been held in check more often than not over the last few weeks, but this feels like a week in which he can reach high-end RB1 heights again. Have you watched the Jets lately? Talk about a team that is playing without any passion. This defense was already not very good at stopping the run, but now the whole team seems to be falling apart.
This should be a competitive game in the Meadowlands, which should keep the game script in Walker's favor. Additionally, the Seahawks seem to be attempting to shift away from Ryan Grubb's preferred pass-happy attack. Walker should have plenty of opportunities in this one.
Fantasy Football Running Back Matchup to Temper Expectations
Bijan Robinson - Atlanta Falcons
Opponent: LAC
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 5th
Robinson's volume in the passing game should keep him afloat in Week 13. However, do not expect high-end rushing output. The Chargers have surprisingly been one of the best defenses in the entire league in 2024. The running defense has been especially prolific.
The question in this game is will the Falcons show up coming out of their bye? It feels like things hinge heavily on how well quarterback Kirk Cousins plays. Either way, the Chargers have been playing out of their minds of late and could ultimately turn the game script against Robinson in Week 13. Just don't anticipate a week-winning performance.
Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Matchups We Love
George Pickens - Pittsburgh Steelers
Opponent: at CIN
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 21st
Pickens finds himself in the "love" category once again in Week 13. The Steelers will travel to Cincinnati for a huge divisional clash. AFC North games tend to be low-scoring. However, with the way Joe Burrow has been playing lately for the Bengals, it seems unlikely that the Steelers will be able to fully keep him in check.
If Burrow and the Bengals can put up points on the Steelers, the Steelers will have to take to the air. It just so happens that the Bengals boast one of the worst defenses in the league. Additionally, Pickens has been awesome since Russell Wilson took over at quarterback in Week 7. He has at least 74 yards in each of those games but one.
Fire up Pickens with confidence in Week 13.
A.J. Brown - Philadelphia Eagles
Opponent: at BAL
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 32nd
Brown had been quiet of late until he showed out against the Rams in Week 12. The Eagles will face a pass defense in Baltimore on Sunday that has simply been atrocious. What is more, it is nearly impossible to run on this team. The Eagles have one of the best running games in the league but something has to give.
We all know that Lamar Jackson and company will be able to score on any defense. As such, expect the Eagles to take to the air perhaps slightly more than usual in Week 13. Brown should be able to shred this secondary and has a chance at a top-5 week at the position in Week 13.
🚨VIDEO: SAQUON BARKLEY & AJ BROWN DID JARED MCCAIN’s TIKTOK DANCE AS THEIR TOUCHDOWN CELLY
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) November 25, 2024
Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Matchup to Temper Expectations
Jerry Jeudy - Cleveland Browns
Opponent: at DEN
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 5th
Jeudy has enjoyed success since Jameis Winston took over at quarterback. Unfortunately, this is a bad week for the speedster. When wide receivers meet Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II, they typically do not have a great day.
Many fantasy managers have been reaping the benefits of Jeudy over the last several weeks. Since he was likely a waiver-wire add for most people, he should be relegated to the bench this week.
Fantasy Football Tight End Matchup We Love
Jonnu Smith - Miami Dolphins
Opponent: at GB
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 22nd
Smith has been electric over the last several weeks. He has now enjoyed back-to-back 20-plus point fantasy games in PPR. Most importantly, he has 19 targets over the last two weeks combined. He is one of Tua Tagovailoa's preferred targets.
The Dolphins roll into Green Bay on Thanksgiving for a must-win game. The Packers have a solid defense, and we know how much Tagovailoa struggles on the road this time of the year. However, the Packers are No. 22 against tight ends in fantasy. With Smith emerging as a safety valve for Tagovailoa, expect him to rack up targets all day against this defense.
Fantasy Football Tight End Matchup to Temper Expectations
Evan Engram - Jacksonville Jaguars
Opponent: HOU
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 4th
The Texans continue to be excellent against tight ends in 2024. Engram is a target monster in this offense. However, the Jaguars have been an absolute dumpster fire since Trevor Lawrence got injured. Lawrence may return in Week 13, but it may not matter.
The Texans' defensive line is in prime position to bully a porous Jaguars offensive line. It could be difficult for the Jaguars to get anything going offensively in this game. Engram should see enough targets to not ruin your week, but his high-end production may not come in Week 13.
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